The Golden Eagles take to the field Saturday in their annual Homecoming game, as they will host the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. Tech (3-7 overall, 1-5 OVC) returns home after falling at Tennessee State by a 41-14 count last weekend. JSU is still in the running for a share of the conference title following a 35-22 win over Austin Peay.Saturday’s contest marks the 13th time the two have hooked up, with the Gamecocks (6-3 overall, 4-2 OVC) holding a 7-5 edge all-time in the series, dating back to 1936.
The two schools have faced each other every year since 2001, with JSU winning the last three meetings. Last season the Gamecocks capitalized on six Tech turnovers on their way to a 38-10 victory at Jacksonville, Ala.
JSU Head Coach Jack Crowe leads his squad into Cookeville averaging 31.5 points per game this season.
They have scored at least 23 points in every game since their season-opening loss at Georgia Tech. The defense has held its opponents to 22.3 points per contest so far this year.
Fans may notice a familiar name on the Gamecocks’ roster, as former LSU quarterback Ryan Perrilloux is Jacksonville State’s starting signal-caller.
Perrilloux started for LSU last season before being dismissed from the team, and then transferred to JSU before the start of spring practice.
Perrilloux has completed 62.7 percent of his pass attempts this year, and leads the OVC in passing yardage.
He also earned OVC Newcomer of the Week for the fifth time this year after throwing for two touchdowns and running for another score in last week’s contest against Austin Peay.
Tech freshman receiver Tim Benford leads the OVC with 55 receptions, and is tied with JSU’s Maurice Dupree in touchdown receptions with nine. With one more scoring catch, Benford will tie the school record for touchdown catches in a single season.
Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. at Tucker Stadium.
